It's one of the toughest Mt. Hope Bay jobs going: longshoreman. Also known as harbor workers, dock workers, dockers, dock laborers, wharfies and stevedores, longshoremen handle every type of waterfront, harbor and dockside job. Because so many civilians in this area work for private companies contracted by the Newport Naval Station and for maritime shipping companies based in New England, harbor work injuries are common. Loading and unloading tankers, operating cargo hoists, forklifts, dockside cranes and other harbor vehicles is extremely hazardous work.

Injured dock workers come to us frequently, with every type of longshoreman injury:

With over 30 years of experience handling Workers Compensation claims and Defense Base Acts claims, we have seen how devastating harbor worker injuries and longshoreman accident injuries can be on dock accident victims and their families. If you are a civilian employee injured while working in a harbor or on a vessel in navigable waters, we will fight for your rights.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most longshoremen hurt on the job are covered by the Longshore Harbor Workers Compensation Act, 33 USC Sec. 901-950. This includes harbor workers, shipbuilders, ship-breakers and ship repairmen, but not the master or crew member of a vessel, who are covered by the Jones Act. Employers covered by the Jones Act are required to obtain Longshore Harbor Workers Insurance coverage for their employees, which provides lost wages compensation, vocational rehabilitation, physical therapy and medical benefits to workers injured while working in navigable waters or adjoining areas. We care about injured harbor workers and their dependents, and know that filing a longshoreman Workers Compensation claim can be difficult for many reasons. Hard-working loyal employees often do not want to risk getting their boss into trouble but, rest assured, in order to collect compensation under the Longshore Harbor Workers Act, you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent or at fault for your harbor job injury. We will defend your LHWA claim on your behalf, whether you come to us before you've filed Workmans Comp application forms or after having your first Work Comp claim application denied or to handle court appeal hearings, if needed.

At the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl-which are located in Providence, Rhode Island, Fall River and Foxborough, Massachusetts-our focus is squarely on the rights and needs of hardworking citizens like you. Let us help you recover, physically, financially and emotionally-call us today at (508)677-4900 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Every discussion is private and personalized and you pay us nothing until we win your LHWA case for you.